Chitchat How do you deal with anxiety/stress?

[bionerd]

To deal with stress I used to distract myself from reality with fictional characters, fandoms, and the like. I would often play out scenarios in my head involving my favorite fictional characters and their lives. I would spend a lot of time on the internet as well, another way to not face reality.

Now I'm a few years older and wiser. I'm aware that I have genetic mental illness- namely anxiety and depression- and that a lot of the time how I feel is not normal. But it's normal to me now, as I'm continually learning how to properly cope with it. While distractions seem like a good idea to get rid of the stress, in the long term it really doesn't help. I've learned that I have to recognize my negative feelings and confront them. I step away from electronics and other distractions. I find a quiet place, away from the stressful situation, and ground myself in my surroundings. I've found that being outdoors and in nature helps me relax the best- I can look around and remind myself that there's a bigger world out there, and my troubles are tiny compared to it.

There's no magic cure for anxiety and depression. You have to take it as it comes, and focus on trying to feel better in that moment. Live in the present. I'm figuring out what helps me and trying to keep moving forward with getting better. It's a process, a journey. Just start with grounding yourself. Breathe. Touch something. Calm down. Then, try some different things to ease your mind and find out what works best for you. It could be exercising, listening to music, drawing, sitting outside- something like that. Whatever makes you feel good, use that and adapt it to the situation.

Life really sucks sometimes, but you just gotta clear your mind and keep going til the next day.

 

[Cinder_Rabbit]

Hi there new to RPNation and unsure if this is still being read.

I'll try to keep it short and sweet and as helpful as I can. I had anxious feelings growing up for pretty much as long as I can remember now, though not as severe as they are today. For what ever reason growing up I was able to take pretty much everything in my stride and my only vex was that when it was too much I was physically sick. When I turned 18-19 The sickness was uncontrollable I was in and out of hospital a few times and the doctors and my family and me didn't know what was happening. I'd had a mini breakdown of such. Everything boiling up to a point where it just let out a full meltdown and my feelings and head just burst one not knowing how to communicate with the other it seems.

I'm 26 now and am currently diagnosed with severe anxiety , depression and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) I do take medication though Its been explained rather well to me that its like walking around with a pillow on your bum. When you fall it hurts less then it would without it :-) It doesn't solve the issue at hand though it does help within its own way. I see a few spiritual and religious posts here, and while I am born as a christian and christened I am not religious, though I do understand and in a way am a little envious of the power that faith can give somebody in themselves. I have had numerous therapies now. Mindfulness, CBT, Trauma based, meditative and most recently ACT.

On a bad day, admittedly I'm not up to much :-) I'm still learning how to be alright with the idea of being unwell. It is a big struggle and the worst thing is that its different for everyone. Some react differently to others and some may be able to explain what they are feeling to others better. Some are locked up and some just wish to pour out. Its what ever helps the individual. Actually just being here and wanting to try my hand at RP is a new form of therapy for me! I wanted to try and focus my mind into words create stories, meet people and socialize in new ways that might help me to better myself. Most days are a struggle though I do have moments when I feel just OK and that for me at the moment writing this out is enough, it may change shortly but for now i'm enjoying just sitting and writing here, hoping that what I write may be of some help to someone.

I have been told more often then I can recall now that the most important thing to do on the bad days is to take care of yourself and do something you would like to do. Reading, typing and saying that is very easy. Putting it into practice however can be more difficult for some. Specially if you are in a relationship or you put others before yourself. Me myself I try to find balance with both. I enjoy making someone smile or brightening up there day somehow even if I feel awful in myself. On a bad day I try to do something which gives me a small sense of achievement. Sometimes cleaning the house as much as I can, drawing something digitally or on paper. Achieving something in a game a play just to name a couple of small things, it can be anything you can think of. I would say that the small things like that I can do make me the happiest. I mean i'm far far far from being a expert in any way. I don't even understand why I am sick myself, I simply do what I can to carry on and try to get better mentally and as a person.

 

[Rock And Roll Boy]

I don't have anxiety but, when I do have stressful moments, I think of my favourite songs and focus on them. It helps me quite a bit.

 

[Zixzaxzebudyne]

I'm not really scared of death, and if I were ever in a state of continuous pain I would gladly kick the bucket. Death is just nothingness. What I really fear is losing control. Sometimes I say things, or I act in particular ways that don't really come from a place of conscious intention. And even if I apologise I can't really be a different person, so I just don't. Though I do inadvertently waste much of my time attempting to mirror the actions of my peers. So, to answer your question: the way I deal with stress most often is to simply deny that the environment puzzles and to beat head against the wall trying to feel and do the things I think I am supposed to do?

 

[Angelsofblood]

I think many of us have had struggles with stress that we either ignore, or fail to realize and deal with.

Stress, coined by a pretty funny comic, is best related in silly little hate spirals that we often find ourselves trapped. Little slipper slopes that we hardly realize where we are before we are too deep.

When I came home from deployment and talked to a chaplain about being home again, we discussed a focus (think inception). For me, it was a challenge coin that I was awarded. Everytime I felt the premonition or the slippery slope of combat stress (sensations brought on from a year of consistent motion), I would pull out that coin and flip it.

It was something as simple as a coin to get me out of my own head.

Now, it may not be easy, but perhaps a coin or a song or even a photo can be just as mind cleansing and allow you to escape from the silly hate spirals before it is too late.

Worse case scenario? PM me, and we can chat too.

Good luck.

 

[KiddVT]

Nicotine.

 

[zachie mel]

muuuuuusic!~

 

[AnimeGenork]

I tend to get really stressed out really easily, so I'll either convince myself it's not as bad, read a book and ignore everything, watch anime, or blast some Avril Lavigne music until the tight feeling in my chest goes away. XD

Or I do the homework that's stressing me out XD

 

[Sonikku2k]

I have some of the answer, and it took a long time to find the thing that works for me.
Being a furry, that's what does it for me. Escaping into my fursona works. And not being Sonic mind you.. My fursona is actually a grey wolf.

 

[Autumn McJavabean]

I take drugs. My anxiety medication is what helps me remain normal.

 

[SandraDeelightful]

I take two medications a day and they really do help relieve some of the anxiety. There are times when I still have anxiety, but it's nowhere near as debilitating as it once was.

 

[Kahloolahky]

I have severe anxiety, I cannot leave the house by myself at the moment. I find it best to avoid the news. I mean nowadays it's filled with nothing but the terrible things happening in the world. I start counselling next month and I really hope they give me some techniques to avoid attacks in public.

 

[farewell]

Not very well! I'm supposed to be on medication, but I never filled the prescription.

I just kind of grin and bear it or try to distract myself with games, reading, writing, or on the rare occasion, television. Sometimes even schoolwork.

 

[1xp]

I have a computer addiction, so when I'm stressed out I try and take at least an hour's break away from the internet.
Also ASMR w/o whispering, slime poking, and paint mixing videos help my anxiety

 

[horsefan824]

I usually listen to music to help deal with my stress to help calm me down and get my mind off everything.

 

[SandraDeelightful]

Also, I like to pet my dog. Studies have shown that it is calming. And besides, I love her and she's just a big ball of love!

 

[Xen]

I seem to deal with mine by eating.

 

[Coreonysis]

I've got to say, when it comes to dealing with anxiety and stress, one thing has kept me sane.
Organization.
I know it's said all the time, but seriously. I have an insane schedule right now, and if I wasn't organized, I'd probably go insane.
So yeah. Take it for what you will.

 

[Pryno]

As an autist, I deal with this crap on a daily basis. Being organized helps me too. It's reassuring. Being with people and talking about it helps, but not in big doses. Otherwise, it makes me even more stressed out. I also take medication, which also helps with my attention deficit. I also always have a goal to remind me of why I keep going.

When the pression arises, I eat more (chocolate is my life) and I reserve time for myself. I find the balance between dealing with the source of stress (usually school work) and my cool down time. If I am deprived of this time (for any reason), I tend to become grumpier. I talk more about the source of stress, especially with my family.

When I am at the peak, if it becomes too complicated to deal with and that I am at the edge of depression, I just...give up. Sometimes, you need to let go. This only happened once in my life. Usually, the rest works.

 

[SandraDeelightful]

I seem to deal with mine by eating.

That's another way I deal with my anxiety.

 

[Suum]

I think it's important to remember the actual level of control you have over both aspects. Stress is directly linked to what's on your mind, and can be resolved by fixing whatever issue there is (for example completing a piece of work), convincing yourself that it isn't something to worry about or as big a concern as it is, or seeking assistance from others to share the pressures. Other things might temporarily relieve stress but they wouldn't remove it.

Anxiety is very different though, and is far less to do with your conscious thought patterns. Ultimately the way through anxiety is through leading by example. Anxiety traditionally passes as you prove to yourself that something isn't worth being scared, or anxious over. It ties in a lot to confidence, and no amount of telling yourself you can do something will actually "prove" you can. To get past anxiety, you need proof, so get out there and prove that you're far more than you ever imagined yourself to be.

 

[DatBoi]

This might just work for me, but I consider how utterly worthless I am. In the grand scale of things, my life means literally nothing nothing. I’m going to die, and in a few generations no one will even remember my name.

I find I can’t be stressed if I know it’s pointless.

Give it a go, and good luck with everything!

 

[elextrified]

xanax & cookie dough

 

[On A Whim]

First, feeling anxious is totally normal. We all worry about things so you're not alone. There are things that keep me awake at night too. My only way to deal with it is trying to be more mindful and have some optimistic introspection.

Whenever I begin to feel overwhelmed, I usually close my eyes and take deep breaths. It isn't much, but it'll help you to physically calm down - slow down your heart rate and just empty your thoughts. Allow yourself to breathe naturally. Don't try to be so forceful. Be gentle with yourself.

Then, I think about what I can control. Most of the time, when I get anxious, my thoughts snowball to a downward spiral. Instead of thinking about the worst case scenarios, I adjust my thoughts. For example, instead of thinking, "I'm gonna fail a test.", I say to myself, "What if I pass? What can I do to pass?" That way, I'm more inclined to move towards positive action. Also, just focusing on the present helps. Try not to imagine what might happen tomorrow.

Finally, I find a good outlet for coping. Whether it's music, reading, or drawing. If you're really swept away by anxiety or stress, try focusing on something else. Even a quick brisk walk outside helps me to feel better. Just try to take yourself out of the situation, even if it's just a few moments, and it will allow you to feel less stressed out. Do something you enjoy. Focus on the things that do make you happy, then, re-examine your previous situation again from a different perspective.

If anything, talking helps too. When I start to recognize that I'm going into full panic mode and I've already done all of the above, I usually talk to someone. It doesn't have to be a face-to-face interaction either. Usually short texts, messages, or even writing a letter to an imaginary person. Just the release of those thoughts allows me to process everything much better and then, I can plan my next course of action.

I'm not a psychologist or anything so what I'm writing here is just from my own experience. But if you or anyone else needs a person to talk to, I'm here. Keep positive my friends!

 

[astropaws]

Videogames.

I mean, I'm mostly stressed about schoolwork, so videogames aren't the best solution but... they help me forget. :|